Crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto (@Steph_crypto) recently drew attention to XRP’s historical price trajectory by pointing to a CoinDesk report that underscores the token’s inability to surpass its 2018 record highs.
To illustrate this, CoinDesk shared a chart on X mapping the performance of leading digital assets against their peaks from December 2017 and January 2018. The figures illustrate a stark contrast in where XRP currently positions itself.
What Coindesk’s Data Shows
The CoinDesk graphic measures the percentage difference between each cryptocurrency’s late 2017 or early 2018 high and its October 2026 valuation. BNB tops the index with a massive +2,818% increase over its previous peak, followed by Dogecoin at +322% and Bitcoin at +314%.
Meanwhile, Ethereum has climbed +66% and Zcash is up 38%, with Tron trailing just 4.2% beneath its former peak. By contrast, XRP anchors the bottom of the list, lingering 62.5% under its January 2018 record. When the chart was published, XRP was valued at $1.33.
DATA: XRP trades around $1.33, about 62.5% below its January 2018 peak, while Bitcoin, Ether and several other major cryptocurrencies have surpassed their previous highs.
— CoinDesk (@CoinDesk) October 16, 2026
The All-time High Debate
Discussions regarding XRP’s genuine all-time high remain open. While some sources reference a $3.84 peak from 2018, Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz has disputed that number, stating that the actual all-time high reached $3.65 in July 2025.
Whichever milestone is referenced, XRP breached the $3 threshold in early 2018. At its present valuation of $1.33, the asset sits comfortably below both price points.
Years of Development With the Same Price Problem
Throughout the years since 2018, XRP has seen ongoing institutional adoption and numerous partnerships forged by Ripple. Analysts and community members frequently issue optimistic price predictions, yet none of these developments have driven the token past its prior highs.
Although Bitcoin and Ethereum have comfortably exceeded their 2018 peaks by substantial margins, and experts frequently forecast that XRP will eventually eclipse them, the token has consistently lagged behind that anticipated performance.
The Community Reacts
Reacting to the data, a community member pointed out that neither Bitcoin nor Ethereum encountered the regulatory scrutiny that hindered XRP, suggesting the SEC lawsuit artificially suppressed its value. Another adopted a more balanced viewpoint, recognizing the current challenges while emphasizing the necessity of patience for long-term investors.
Conversely, one participant labeled XRP as heavily manipulated and recommended liquidating holdings, while another concurred that investors have endured hardship over the past nine years. Ultimately, CoinDesk’s metrics quantify this performance gap, cementing XRP’s status as a major asset that continues to trade below its 2018 peak.